Laser activation pretreatment of seeds and cuttings of forest tree species

Abstract

Seeds of Juglans nigra, Gleditsia [triacanthos] and Robinia [pseudoacacia], and cuttings of Populus alba, Ribes nigrum, Salix babylonica, Aronia sp. and Buxus [sempervirens] were exposed to treatment with a helium-neon laser (wavelength 632.8 nm, power 25 mW). Results are tabulated on germination and rooting percent, seedling height and diameter, and the yield of plants. The laser treatment stimulated germination, rooting, and growth in all the species, as compared with untreated controls